Minutes of Annual Meeting - May 2005

Minutes of the Annual Soham Town Council Meeting held at The Pavilion, Soham, on Monday 9th May 2005

The meeting was attended by 15 Town Councillors, 2 District Councillors, 2 County Councillors, 14 members of the Public and 1 member of the Press.

1. CHAIRMAN
Councillor Mrs RR Aitchison, Chairman of the Town Council for the relevant year, presided.

2. MINUTES
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 10th May 2004 were read.

3. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
The Chairman made her annual report to the meeting on the activities of the Council during the past year and said that a precept of £105,800 had been set for 2005/2006 this is a reduction of 2.9% on 2004/2005.

4. REPORTS OF COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Councillor J Powley provided a report to be circulated on his work on the County Council and Councillor Mrs J Broadway introduced herself as the newly elected additional County Councillor for Soham and Fordham Villages. No reports were received from District Councillors.

5. PAROCHIAL CHARITIES
The statements of accounts for Soham United Charities for year ending 31st December 2004 and Soham Moor, Old Grammar School Fund for year ending 31st March 2005 were tabled.
Mr Derek Bradley, a trustee member of both Charities explained their work and invited questions from the floor.

6. TOWN TWINNING OPPORTUNITIES
Councillors Mr J Kirkham & Mr PG Beer reported on the recent visit to Andrézieux-Bouthéon.
Four runners and a manager were invited to the French Town to take part in an international fun run and at the same time the Town Council were invited to send 4 people to visit and see whether they thought that twinning with Andrézieux-Bouthéon was appropriate.
Christopher Scurrah, Soham On-Line commented on how interesting the trip was and also the warmth of welcome extended to them by the people of Andrézieux-Bouthéon. Linda Homan, Soham Village College reiterated his sentiments on behalf of the 4 runners and herself.
In June four members of Andrézieux-Bouthéon Twinning Association will be visiting Soham and the next stage will be to establish a Twinning Association for Soham, with representatives from all groups within the Town.
The Chairman thanked Councillors Mr J Kirkham & Mr PG Beer for all their work towards twinning and for the making the visit possible.

7. OPEN FORUM
The Chairman addressed a question concerning the maintenance of the picnic area on Qua Fen Common. She stated that although the common had again been let for zero grazing this year, the Town Council would ensure that the area in question receive regular attention, although as the commons were County Wildlife sites, there were some restrictions on which parts could be cut. She also informed the resident that a group called 'Friends of the Common' had been formed with the aim of conserving the commons.

Other questions raised were regarding a footpath at Hasse Road, access to which had been blocked, the Clerk informed parishioners that this was already being investigated by Cambridgeshire County Council.

Regarding the question of the parking of near derelict vehicles on private land in Churchgate Street, it was confirmed that East Cambridgeshire District Council were endeavouring to deal with this ongoing problem through its Environmental Services and Planning departments.

A further question was asked regarding the proposed travellers site at East Fen Common and who would be paying any costs incurred regarding the encroached common land. The Clerk informed the meeting the Town Council were obtaining legal advice on this matter.